Method of and machine for lasting shoe uppers



Jufiy E6, 1935.

-K. ENGEL METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. 13, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Juily E6, 1935. K. ENGEL METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. 13, '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 lmb,

Jufiy w, 1935. K. ENGEL METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. 13, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jully $16, 1935. K. ENGEL 2,008,069

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. 15, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jhfiy 16, 1035. K. ENGEL 2,008,069

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. 13, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 16, 1935. K ENGEL 2,008,069

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. 15, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 July 16, 1935. K. ENGEL METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. 15, '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Patented July 16, 1935 UNITED STATES METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING SHOE UPPERS Karl Engel, Lynn, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 13, 1933, Serial No. 656,494

105 Claims.

The present invention relates to methods of and machines for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes and is illustrated with particular reference to the lasting of childrens shoes.

It is customary in the manufacture of many types of boots and shoes to pull over or tension the upper upon its last, as a preliminary operation, in a machine constructed and arranged for rat operation and known to the trade as a pulling-over machine. It has long been recognized that it would be desirable to last a shoe in a single operation, Without any preliminary pulling over, if this could be done without sacrificing the advantages of the present system, and machines have been developed to accomplish this result. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved lasting machine upon which an upper which has not been pulled over may be completely lasted in a single operation'without sacrificing the advantages of prior methods of shoe manufacture.

The pulling-over operation is usually effected by a machine which holds the last in a fixed position and provides grippers arranged to grip the margin of the upper at the toe and at the sides of the forepart and to tension the upper upon the last. After the pulling-over operation puckers are found at the toe end of the upper near the edge of the last bottom at points between the grippers. It is the usual practice to eliminate these puckers in the toe-lasting operation and their removal without causing wrinkles at the toe or at the sides of the forepart of the upper requires a skilled and experienced shoe maker.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for gathering the margin at the: toe of the upper before the upper is tensioned upon the last in order to effect a predetermined distribution of the upper materials at the toe end of the upper such that the upper may be tensioned upon the last Without producing too prominent wrinkles at the toe. By the attainment of this object the requirement of a further operation to eliminate wrinkles at the toe of the upper after the upper has been tensioned upon its last is obviated.

Features of the invention comprise a lasting machine organization which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention is provided with means, for example, a series of yielding fingers, for clamping the margin of an upper in a predetern'iined position, and mechanism for actuating said yielding fingers to feed the margin of the upper inwardly and to gather a measured amount of the margin of the upper at one end thereof. Preferably a last, is forced into the clamped upper by means, herein illustrated as a depressor, arranged to engage the forepart of an insole attached to the last bottom. In the illustrated machine the depression of the last is resisted by a girth stretcher in the form of a resilient apron which operates in conjunction with the depression of the last to up-Wipethe upper thereupon. Preferably the clamping fingers are actuated, in advance of the introduction of a last into the supported upper, to effect a measured gathering of the margin of the upper and a measured inward movement of the margin of the upper. As herein illustrated, the upper is tensioned lengthwise thereof by causing the toe of the last, in the course of its depression into the upper, to engage an abutment having its last engaging surface inclined to cause the last to move rearwardly of the upper during its depression. In accordance with a further fea ture of the invention the fingers which engage the margin of the upper preferably have their inward movement arrested by a member, for example, the abutment above referred to, forming an element of the finger assembly and arrangedinwardly of said fingers at a predetermined distance therefrom. In accordance with a further feature of the invention the extent of the feed of the margin of the upper inwardly thereof may be predetermined and likewise the extent of the gathering .of the margin of the upper may be predetermined.

In order to stretch the upper over the top of the forepart the fingers above referred to are illustrated as extending along the sides of the,

forepart of the upper; operate to effect a measured feeding of the margin of the sides of the forepart toward the edge of the last bottom; and operate thereafter in conjunction with the abutment member above referred to to hold the margin from further inward movement while the depressor is actuated to press a last into the upper.

In the lasting of shoes it is desirable that the shank portion of the upper be wiped uniformly over the last to cause it to conform closely to the contour of the last, and it is also desirable that the shank of the upper be stretched uniformly in order to avoid the formation of'wrinkles in the wear of the shoe. Accordingly, in accordance with a further feature of the invention there isexample, a pair of wipers, located at opposite sides of the last for actuating the stretcher to wipe in the shank portion of the upper and to impart a uniform tension to the shank of the upper heightwise of the last.

A still further feature of the invention contemplates the provision, in a lasting machine, of wipers for wiping the margin of an upper over the heel of an insole mounted on a last, a heel stop, a support therefor, and yielding last supporting means carried by said support and arranged to press the margin of the upper against said wipers.

While the invention as above defined relates to machines for lasting uppers, the invention is not limited. to such machines. of its aspects, the invention relates to methods of lasting uppers.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention, as herein exemplified, comprises that method of lasting uppers which consists in clamping. the margin of they forepart of an upper in outspread condition, simultaneously feeding said margin inwardly and gathering the margin of the toe end of the upper between predetermined points, then mounting a last, in the upper, then simultaneously further feeding the margin of the forepart inwardly toward. the edge of the last bottom, further gathering, the margin of the toe. end of the upper and pressing the lastinto the upper and thereafter laying the margin. of the upper over an insole attached to the last bottom and attaching the upper to the insole. If the margin of the upper is to be secured by adhesive to the margin of an. insole, adhesive is preferably applied to the surfaces of the shoe parts to be bonded after the last hasbeen pressed. into the upper, the margin of the upper being thereafter laid over the insole and pressure being applied to the margin of the upper to effect a secure bond between the upper and insole. Preferably, the upper is held in upwiped condition during the application of adhe siveto the surfaces of the shoe parts to be bonded and during the subsequent overlaying of. the marginof the upper upon the insole and application of pressure thereto, by the resilient apron above referred to which has frictional engagement with the upper in order to exert a retaining action thereon.

If desired, the margin of the upper may be held in position after it has been laid over the margin of the insole by applying tension thereto inwardly of the last bottom. pect, the invention, as herein exemplified, comprises that method of lasting upperswhich consists in providing the margin of an upper with a ligature, for example, a draw string, arrangedto extend from one side of the shank portion of the upper-margin throughout substantially the entire extent of said margin, laying the 'margin of the upper over the last bottom, then passing drawings and will be pointed out in the appended.

claims. 7

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. l is a side elevation of a lasting machine.

embodying theseveral features of the present in- Moreover, in certain Accordingly, in a further asvention, the center of the machine pedestal being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a'plan view of the machine, partly broken away in order to show underlying parts;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the head of the machine, taken substantially on the line IIIIII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of the toe wiping mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the heel wiping and shank wiping mechanisms;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View, taken substantially on the line VI-V'f of Fig. V

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the means for supporting the margin of an upper and the means for gaging its preliminary position;

Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, are detail sectional views illustrating certain lasting devices as they appear at progr ssive stages in the operation of the machine;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating certain lasting devices in the arrangement in which they are illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan View similar to Fig. 12 illustrating a construction and arranges ment of the lasting devices adapted to last a vamp which is not attached to the quarter of the upper;

Fig. l l is a detail perspective View of one of the fingers 96 shown in Fig. 12;

- Fig. 15 is a detail view illustrating an alternative construction and arrangement of the fingers 8Q;

Fig. 16 is a sectional View taken through the forepart of a. last and upper supported upon the girth stretcher of the present invention, illustrating particularly the presser for pressing the overwiped margin of the upper; v

ig. 17 is a view of the presserillustrated in Fig. 16 looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. l;

Fig. 18 is a perspective View of a lasted shoe illustrating particularly the clamp for holding the draw string; and

Fig. 19 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the machine pedestal illustrating the parts contained therein.

Referring to Fig. 1, the illustrated machine is provided with a pedestal 25 to which the machine head 22'is bolted andon said machine head a table 2 5 is secured at an inclination such that the operative parts of the machine are within easy reach of. the operator and the lasting operation is easily visible at all times. Attached to the table 24 is a block 23 upon which are mounted the devices for overwiping the margin at the toe and at the sides of the forepart of an upper.- The block 26 is provided. at its rearward extremity with a recess 21' (Fig. 9) which serves to provide clearance for the forepart of a last and for a girth stretcher H2. The block 26 supports an auxiliary frame 28 which carries the wiper plates for overwiping the upper margin at the heel. The frame 28 is. arranged to swing about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the machine. For reasons to be explained, it is de sirable that the pivots about which the auxiliary frame 28 swings be adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the table 2 and, accordingly, a pair of uprights 30 are slidably mounted in grooves formed at opposite sides of the block 26 and'have-pivot screws 29 at their upper ends. The uprights 36 may be secured to the block 26 by clamping'screws 32 passedthrough slots 34 tension 66 of the block 26.

in the uprights and arranged to seat against a flange extending inwardly from each of said slots and positioned adjacent to the inner surfaces of the uprights 38. Thus the heads of the clamping screws 32 may extend into the slots 34 in the uprights suificiently to prevent interference between the heads of the screws and the auxiliary frame as the frame is swung into parallel relation to the table 24. In order that the auxiliary frame may move toward the rear end of the table 24 as it is swung in a direction to bring it into parallel relation thereto it is desirable that the pivots 29 be positioned above said frame. Accordingly a pair of arms 35 are mounted in grooves at the forward ends of the auxiliary frame and pivoted at their upper ends to the screws 29. In order to vary the extent of the forward movement of the auxiliary frame 28 as it is swung into parallel relation to the table 24, the arms 36 are secured to the auxiliary frame by clamping screws 33 passed through slots 4% provided in the arms 35. In the illustrated machine the auxiliary frame consists of a pair of parallel arms 42 (Fig. 2) arranged in longitudinal relation to the table 26 and connected by a cross bar 44 secured to the free ends of said arms.

Referring now to the devices for overwiping the marginal portion at the toe and at the sides of the forepart of the upper, a pair of wiper plates 46 and 48 (Fig. 4) are secured to slides 59 and 52, respectively, which slides are supported within a depression in the upper surface of the block 26, the depth of said depression being substantially equal to the thickness of said slides. In order that the wiper plates may move simultaneously toward each other and toward the front of the machine the outer edges of said slides converge toward the front of the machine at angles of approximately 415 to the sides of the block 26. The converging edges of the slides 50 and 52 have sliding engagement with shoulders formed in the block 26 and are held in engagement with said shoulders by gibs 54 and 56 (Fig. 4) secured to the block 26 and arranged to engage within grooves and 5'3 formed in the slides 59 and52, respectively. The inner edges of the slides 59 and 52 extend in parallel relation to the wiping edges of the wiper plates 15 and 63, respectively. The wiper plates are actuated by a hand lever 58 pivoted to an ex- The hand lever 53 imparts longitudinal sliding movement to a slide 52 positioned in the aforesaid depression in the upper surface of the block 25 and held against displacement therefrom by guard plates 6&- and Eliseoured to the upper surface of the block 26 at opposite sides thereof. At its forward edge the slide 82 is provided with a gib 68 (Fig. 3) extend ing throughout its entire width and arranged for sliding engagement with oppositely disposed gibs ill formed in the slides 59 and 52 to which the wiper plates are secured. In order that the hand lever 58 may impart longitudinal movement to the slide $2 a cam slot i2 (Fig. 4) is formed therein for the reception of a cam roll id pivoted on a pin 75 mounted in a bracket 2'6 secured to the slide 52. A guide roll ll (Fig. 3) pivoted to the pin l5 below the bracket 56 and arranged to travel in groove 19 extending lengthwise of the machine through the extension 55 of the block 26 operates to prevent lateral displacement of the slide 6'2 by the actuation of the lever 58.

An upper to be lasted is arranged by the operator in inverted position with the margin of the upper atthe toe and at the sides of the forepart out- I spread and supported upon the upper surfaces of the wiper plates 46 and 48. The position of the upper is gaged by bringing its edge against the curved inner edges of the slides 56 and 52. If desired, a notch may be formed centrally of the margin at the toe of the upper in order to permit the upper to be centered relatively to the supporting wiper plates. In order that the slides 59 and 52 may gage the position of the upper correctly, said slides are first adjusted in accordance with the size of shoe to be lasted. This is done by a preliminary actuation of the hand lever 53. For the convenience of the operator the preliminary movement of the hand lever 58 to adjust the slides 53 and 52 may be determined by an indicator 58 secured to said lever and a scale 8% secured to the extension Ell of the block 26. In order to maintain the hand lever 58 in adjusted position a series of sockets 32 are provided in the under surface of the hand lever in concentric relation to its axis, and a spring pressed plunger 84 (Fig. 3) .is mounted in the extension Ell for engagement Within said sockets. The plunger 5% may be tapered at its upper end. in order to permit it to be cainmed out of the sockets 32 by the actuation of the hand lever 58.

Referring now more particularlyto the construction and arrangement of the wiper plates 45 and 48, said plates are substantially L-shaped (Fig. 4) and have their shorter arms arranged lengthwise of the machine. The longer arms of the wiper plates are one-half the thickness of th shorter arms, and the longer arm of the plate is arranged to underlie the longer arm of the pla- 433; In their assembled position the'wiper plate are so arranged that the transverse edges of their overlapping arms coincide. It will thus be seen that both the upper surfaceand the lower surface of the wiper plates present a plane surface to an upper to be lasted. The wipers 56 and 18 are secured within recesses formed in the under supfaces of the slides 58 and 52 respectively, the depth of said recesses being such that the under surfaces of the wiper'plates are in the same plane as the under surfaces of said slides (Fig. 16).

The outspread margin of an upper to be lasted is clamped against the wiper plates 36 and 48 by a series of spring fingers 953 (Fig. 12). Each of said fingers is provided at its upper engaging end with a pair of points which extend just far enough from the body of the finger to permit them to pass through the lining and the box and to penetrate the upper. Each of the fingers is provided with a shank 92 (Fig. 14) in which is formed two parallel open end slots arranged to receive a pair of clamping screws 93 (Fig. l)

By releasing said clamping screws, said fingers may be adjusted individually toward and from the edge of the opposing wiper plate and they may also be adjusted to vary the angular relation to each other of planes longitudinally bisecting the respective fingers, and to vary the angle of said planes to the edge of the wiper plate.

The fingers 98 are secured to the under surface of a slide 9 which is supported in. parallel relation to the wiper plates 46 and 48 upon sliding posts 96 which slide through holes formed in the table 24 and the block 2%. At theirlower ends the posts 96 have a plate $8 secured thereto in parallel relation to the plate 94, and a coiled spring lilll is connected at one end to said plate 98 and at the other end to the table 24 in order to maintain the finger plate 94 normally in elevated position. The plate 9% is depressed in order to bring the spring fingers 9E] into engagement with the outspread margin of an upper supported upon the wiper'plates by a treadle I92 pivoted near its base on a cross shaft H33 secured to the pedestal 2% and connected to the plate 98 by a link Ill l, a short ever tilt pivoted to the head 22, and a link its connecting said lever to a stud we extend" ing downwardly from the under surface of the plate 98. In order to hold the fingers 9% in clamping engagement with the outspread mar gin or" the upper supported upon the wiper plates, swinging ratchet lit (Fig. 19) is pivoted to a cross bar I l2 secured to the front of the pedestal near its base, and tooth ti t is formed in the treadle lever for engagement with said ratchet. The ratchet its is brought into position to engage the tooth Il l' by'a coiled spring l8 connecting the upper end of the ratchet lever to a lug lillprojecting forwardly from the pedestal 25'. At its lower end the ratchet lever may be provided a tread plate to permit the disengagement of the ratchet from the tooth [to the margin of the upper a further depres- ,sion of the finger plate t l after the fingers have been brought into engagement with the margin of the upper causes the ends of said fingers to more inwardly upon the wiper plates thereby feeding the margin of the upper inwardly and bending the spring fingers from their position in Fig. 8 into their position in Fig. 9.

The fingers 35 are preferably arranged in two groups about the wiper plates 56 and 8, one of said groups comprising the four fingers arranged about the forward end of the wiperplates, as shown in Fig. 12, and the other group comprising the remaining six fingers arranged at opposite sides or" the wiper plates. It will be seen that the four fingers comprising the first group are arranged in convergent relation toeach other while the fingers comprising the secand group are substantially parallel to each other. Consequently a further depression of the finger plate 93 after the fingers have been brought into clamping engagement with the outspread margin of an upper will cause the first. group or fingers to move inwardly toward the wiping edges of the wiper plates and-simultaneously to move toward each other in order to gather the margin of the upper. The second group of fingers, however, move inwardly toward the edges of the wiper plates in substantially parallel relation to each other and, consequently, have no gathering action. The second group of fingers are arranged at an angle to the wiping edges or" the wiper plates such that they impart a slight movement to the margin of the upper forwardly thereof as they travel inwardly toward the edges or" the wiper plates. The margin at the sides of the iorepart of the upper isthus drawn forwardly slightly in order to stretch the upper uniformly at the shank;

It has been found desirable that the margin of the upper at the sides of the forepart be fed inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom to a lesser extent than the margin at the end bring'the upper down'firmly upon the last. To

this end the fingers comprising the second'group above referred to are somewhat longer than the aooaoeo:

fingers'inthefirst group and are arranged at a lesser inclination to the plane of the wiper plates than the fingers comprising the first group.

It is to be understood that the groups of'fingers above referred to are notsharply defined. The arrangement of the groups is governed by the shape of the last. The extent of the feeding movement of the fingers in a given'group may or may not be uniform, depending upon the requirements of a given last.

It is desirable that the inward movement of the spring fingers 90 upon the wiper plates be positively arrested with the ends of said fingers spaced from the edges of the wiper plates just far enough to permit said fingers to prevent any further inward movement of the margin of the upper duringthe foredrawing and upwiping operations hereinafter described. To that end a guard plate I20 is positioned in advance of the.

fingers 9t: and has its lower edge arranged substantially in parallel relation to the wiping edges 9) The guard plate IE5: is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the edges of the wiper plates and is received within a recess I22 in the finger plate 5-34. and secured to said plate by screws I24.

It is desirable that the spring fingers 90'engage the'upper margin simultaneously and advance inwardly upon the wiper plates until they engage simultaneously the lower edge of the guard plate. In order to effect this result the ends of the spring fingers 90- are adjusted vertically relatively to each other to bring them into a common plane parallel to the plane of the wiper plates. In the: illustrated machine this adjustment is effected by a series of adjusting screws i26 mounted in tapped holes in the finger plate as and arranged to engage the upper surfacesof the fingers substantially midway of their length. 7

It has been seen that the preliminary position of the wiper plates 46 and 48' is adjustable to accommodate varying sizes of shoes. It is desirable that a similar adjustment be provided for the finger plate 94 in order that the desired arrangement of the fingers 90 and the guard plate IZG relatively to the wiper plates may be maintained. Accordingly, the finger plate 94 is arranged to slide lengthwise of the machine, and means is provided for securing the plate in adjusted position. In the illustrated machine the plate at is slidably mounted within longitudinal mounted in a tapped hole formed in an extension;

N2 of the finger plate and arranged to engage the rearward end of one of the blocks I28. The several adjustments or the finger plate 94 may be defined by a scale (Fig. 2) at one side of the finger plate arranged to register with a mark on the adjacent block I28.

Referring'now to the heel assembly, a vertically yielding heel support i3 1 (Fig. 1) is secured to a slide I36 which in turn is slidably mounted in longitudinal grooves I38 formed in blocks I40 and I42 (Fig. 2) secured to the longitudinal arms @2013 the auxiliary frame 28' at their inner surfaces. The heel support I34 is illustrated as a spring plate screwed to the under surface of the slide I35, extending downwardly at right angles thereto a distance slightly less than the height of the heel of a last to be supported thereon, and from that point extending toward the rearward end of the auxiliary frame a sufficient distance to provide a substantial support for the last. Said supporting plate is preferably bifurcated for the reception of a boot upper and is preferably provided with a pair of leather envelopes to protect the upper from abrasion. The slide I35 is cut away above the heel support I34 to provide sumcient space for the operation of overwiping the heel end of the upper margin. A familiar type of wiper plates I44 and I45 (Fig. 2) is provided for overwiping the heel end of the upper margin, the plate I45 extending forwardly of the plate I 44, as shown in the illustrated machine, in order to accommodate a right shoe. The wiper plates I44 and I46 are secured to plates I48 and I50, respectively, which in turn are guided upon the slide I365 by screws I52 arranged to engage within curved slots I 54 formed in the plates I48 and I and having their center of curvature at the apex of the angle defined by the adjoining surfaces of their wiper plates I44 and I46. The screws I52 may be provided with flat heads positioned to engage the upper surfaces of the plates I48, I50 in order to prevent displacement thereof by the action of the heel support I34 which operates to press the last bottom upwardly against the wiper plates. The wiper plates I44 and I46 are actuated by a hand lever I56 pivoted to the slide I36 and connected to the plates I48 and I50 by parallel motion links I58 and IISB, respectively.

In order to position the last in the proper longitudinal relation to the heel wiper plates a heel stop is provided for the reception of the heel end of the last. In the illustrated machine the heel stop consists of a pair of blocks I62 and IE4 secured to the under surfaces of the plates I48 and I 55, respectively. Said blocks have a horizontal curvature substantially the same as the curvature of the forward edges of the wiper plates, and are spaced rearwardly from the forward edges of the wiper plates a distance substantially equal to the width of the margin of the upper to be lasted over the insole. The blocks I52 and I54 are preferably faced with a single piece of leather I56 arranged to cover their forward surfaces.

The slide I35 is maintained in adjusted position in the auxiliary frame 28 by a pair of pawls I68 pivoted to lugs I'III secured to the slide I36 at opposite edges thereof and arranged to engage ratchet teeth formed in the blocks I46 and I42. Said pawls arrest the rearward movement of the slide I35 while permitting unlimited forward movement thereof. In ordertofacilitate the adjustment of the heel assembly for varying sizes of lasts a scale may be inscribed upon the slide I at the left side thereof, as shown in Fig. 5, and a mark or other indicator may be provided on the block I40 to register with said scale.

The operator actuates the hand lever I55 to wipe the margin at the heel end of the upper over the insole after the auxiliary frame 28 has been swung from its position in Fig. 1 to its depressed position as shown in Fig. 10. While the auxiliary frame, together with the last and shoe parts, are in this position the toe wiper plates- 46, 43 are actuated to wipe the margin of the forepart over the insole, and consequently, it is of the auxiliary frame 28.

desirable that the forepart of the last bottom be substantially parallel to the plane of the toe wiper plates. The relative position heightwise of the last of the forepart of the last bottom and the heel seat of the last bottom varies with different last contours and it is,'therefore, necessary to adjust the relative positions of the heel wiper plates I44, I45 and the toe wiper plates 45, 48 in order that a parallel relation between the wiper plates and the last bottom may be effected. In the illustrated machine this adjustment is accomplished by varying the elevation The desired varia-- tion of the elevation of the auxiliary frame is effective by releasing the clamping screws 32 (Fig. 1) which secure the uprights 30 to the block 25 and adjusting said uprights in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the wiper plates 46, 48.

The forepart of the last is supported in inverted positon upon a resilient girth stretcher or lasting bag. In the illustrated machine the lasting bag is in the form of a rubber apron I12 (Fig. 3) secured at its forward end to the block 25 by screws I74, the block being shouldered, for the reception of the apron in flush relation with its upper surface. At its forward end the upper surface of the apron IE2 is adjacent to the under surfaces of the wiper plates 46 and 48. The sides of the apron I72 are secured to a pair of slides 202 and 244 forming a part of the shank wiping mechanism hereinafter described and arranged at opposite sides of the table 24 for lateral movement toward and from each other. The forward end of the apron H2 is drawn downward- 1y, as shown in Fig. 3, and is maintained in downs'tretched condition by a retaining pin I18 having a hook formed at its upper end for engagement with a pair of loop links I84 passed through a pair of eyelets at the forward edge of the apron. Upward movement of the retaining pin I18 is limited by a screw I82 extending downwardly from the table 24, the end of said screw being bent forwardly into parallel relation with the table 24 and provided with a slot for the reception of the retaining pin. A ball I84 at the lower end of the retaining pin engages the screw I82 in order to arrest the upward movement of the retaining pin. An opening I85 in the table 24 provides the necessary clearance for the retaining pin H8 and also for a boot upper. The retaining pin maintains a constant tension on the apron H2 while'leaving the apron at an elevation such that a last, as it is introduced into the supported upper, causes the upper to engage the entire length of the apron and distends the apron sufficiently to cause the apron to stretch and thereby to impart a substantial upwiping to the forepart and shank of the upper. The apron H2 by its frictional engagement with the upper holds the upper securely in upwiped condition after the last has been brought to the limit of its depression into said apron.

The last depressed into the apron I12 by first pressing the toe end of the last into the toe end of the apron and thereafter swinging the auxiliary frame 28 into substantially parallel rela tion to the table 24 in order to press the last into the full length of the apron. The depression of the toe end of the last brings the edge of the last bottom below the level of the wiper plates 46 and 48 and the swinging of the auxiliary frame operates to move the last toward the rear of the machine until the edge of the last bottom extends slightly beneath the wiper plates, so that the last is held by the wiper plates from being lifted by itheresiliencylo'f theapron l'l'i. after the pressure .on i118 Tlast bottom is released. 7

:In .the illustrated machine downward move- Lmentis imparted to the .toe of the last by .a depressor consisting of a lever .iilii (Fig. l) .swiveled inian arm 98, said .arm :being pivoted within .a

nyokeat the upper .end of upright 5.92 secured .to the table 24. An opening is provided in the slidetZ atthepoint where the upright i532 passes therethroughin order to permit freedom of movementoi? saidslide relatively to the upright. The lever 188 :has .a .presser foot 96 pivoted thereto in a position to engage the toe end of an insole attached to :the bottom of a last supported upon the apron H2 and heel support we. The presse foot is bifurcated at its upper end to permit it to :embrace the lever and has its movement toward'the axis of the arm 5 limited by the interengagement oi the under surface of the lever 1:83 :and the upper end of the presser foot at a point between its bifurcations. In order that the presser foot iixil l may be positioned at the limit or its .movement toward the axis of the arm i88 .asit :comes into contact with the insole, a light coiled spring its is connected at one end to the ,presser footand at the other end to the forward end of the lever 83. The presser foot yield- :ingly heldat the limit of its forward movement rather than by a fixed or positive connection in order thatit may be free to swing slightly about its :pivot during the depression of the last, thus preventing the presser foot from scraping the'insole aszthe lastmoves downwardly. The arm see is normally held retracted by a weight i953 secured ;to the upper end of the arm 59%], said retracted position being defined by a stop Add formed .in the arm I98 and arranged to abut against the upright i922. During its downward movement the last is deflected rearwardly there of by the guard plate i253 to cause its heel end to engage :the heel .end of theupper. The guard plate-also prevents engagement of the last with ithetspring fingers'ilil during its depression. Simultaneously with the depression of the last the finger supportingslidei l is further actuated to cause the fingers to complete their feeding and gatherin movement. 'Ihemovement of the fingers is arrested by the guard plate 528. Preferablyithe movement of thefingers is arrested while the depression of the last is in progress. beiseen, however, that the timing of the actua- .tionof the fingers relatively to the depression of the last is manually controlled by the operator and may be varied at'will. After the fingers have been arrested vby the guard plate said fingers in conjunction with the guard plate operate to hold the margin of the upper positively from further ;movernent upon the toe wiper plates it and 68 ,(Fig. 9). During the continued depression of the last-after the fingers have been arrested by the guard plate the last is moved rearwardly thereof by its engagement with the guard plate as above described, and during its rearward movement the heel end of the last is pressed against the heel end of the upper, thereby exerting a ioredrawing action upon the upper. The foredrawing of the upper brings its heel end against the heel stop I66 which has previously been adjusted in accordance with the size of the upper which is being operated upon. The heel stop is provided with a resilient cushion 35 (Fig. 9) which receives the heel end of the upper as the last comes to the limit of its rearward move- ,ments.

In the illustrated machine the devices for wipslides.

It Will taooaoeo ,ing in the .shankof an upper consistrof theslldes 12112 and 2294 (Fig. 6) .to which the apron 2.1.1.2 is secured, as. above described. At their inner ends the slides .232 and 2% have formed integrally therewith a pairof iwiper plates 285 and s, re-

spectively, said plates extending inwardly at an upward inclination from the inner ends of .said At their inner ends the wiper plates have the general curvature of the edge of the last bottom .at opposite sides of the shank in iorder to permit them to press the apron ll?! against the upper. The apron A12 is extended .over the wiper plates 28% and 208 and secured thereto by clampingscrews Hit. The slides 292 and Edda-re mounted to slide laterally of the machine in a pair of slides 212 and 214, respectively, each of said slides 23% and L294 having a depending Tl guide 2&6 formed integrally therewith to slide in a T way formed in its supporting member. The slides E-Ltand 2 54 have T ways formed in :2

their under surfaces for the reception of upstanding 'Tiguides =2i'8 formed-in. a pair of supporting blocks -22lfsecured to the table '24 atopposite sidesoi? the machine and arranged to extend lengthwise thereof. it will thus be seen that the slides ilt land'zs i may moveilengthwise of the machine in order to adjust themselves to varying sizes of lasts. The shank wipers areactuated by swinging the auxiliary frame 28 from its normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, into parallel relation to thetable ZLasshownfin Fig. 16. In the illustrated machine the motion of the auxiliary frame is transmitted to the slides 2112 and 29 through a pair of uprights 222 secured to the auxiliary frame 28.at'oppo site sides thereof and a pair or links ZZ- l connecting said uprights to theslides. Thelinlrs 22l have ball and socket connections with bracketsQZG and AM extending upwardly and inwardly from the slides and theupr ights, respectively. The links 219.4 are preferably extensible in order to vary the extent of the movement of the slides 2&2 and 204.

The auxiliary frame .28 maybe actuatedby the hand lever 155 provided for the actuationof the heel wiper plateson-if desired, it maybe actuated by a treadle 2 5i! (Fig. l) pivoted on the cross shaft i833 securedto the pedestal 29 near its base.

The treadle 239 is connected to the auxiliary frame 28 by a link 234 pivoted at its lower end to the treadle 238 and secured at its upper end to a yoke 23b pivoted at opposite sides of the auxiliary frame.

position by a coiled spring "23 5 connected at one end to the treadle and at its other end to the pedestal 20. The spring 2-33 also operates to maintain the auxiliary frame 28 in elevated po sition, as shownin Fig. 1.

The actuation of the treadle 23B moves the free end of the auxiliary frame 28 downwardly and swings the arms 36 upon which the auxiliary frame is supported in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1, thereby causing the auxiliary frame to move toward the rear of the machine as it is swung into parallel relation to the table 24. The downward swinging movementcf the auxiliaryframe presses the heel end of the last and upper into the apron H2 while its movement toward the rear of the machine forces the toe end of the lastbeneath thewiper plates t5 and d8 which serve to hold the last depress-ed after the retraction of the presser foot 94. The depression of the heel end of the last into the apron H2 stretches the apron somewhat, and the stretching of'the apron, by the frictional contact of the apron with'the upper, tends to -stretch the The treadle is held in retracted I upper heightwise of the last at the forepart and at the shank of the shoe.

The actuation of the heel wiping mechanism operates through a pair of fingers 235 (Fig.5) formed integrally with the plates its and its, respectively, to supplement the actuation of the shank wiping mechanism by the swinging of the auxiliary frame 28. The fingers 239 impart an inward movement to the slides m2 and 2M stretching the apron i 12 over the last bottom and laying the margin at the shank of the upper over the insole. The fingers 239 are arranged to move inwardly during the actuation of the heel wiper plates i l-B and 55b and to engage shoulders formed on the shank wiper plates 2% and 238 as the heel wiper plates approach the limit of their wiping movement in order to move the shank wiper plates inwardly over the last bottom.

If desired a ligature may be provided for holding the margin of the upper in overwiped condition throughout its entire extent. Such a ligature is shown in Fig. 18 in the form of a draw string 254i stitched to the edge of the upper margin and extending from the shank of the upper throughout substantially the entire extent of the upper margin and back to the point of begin ning. In order to permit the draw string to hold the margin of the upper at opposite sides of the shank a loop or bight 255 is formed in the draw string at the shank of the upper opposite the ends of the draw string and the ends of the draw string are passed through said loop. In order to permit the formation of such a loop the stitching whereby the draw string is attached t the edge of the upper margin is interrupted at 25! (Fig. 18). In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the draw string 25% is employed to hold the margin of the upper in overwiped condition throughout substantially its entire extent, and for no other purpose; but it is to be understood that the invention also contemplates, as an alternative method, the employment of the draw string 255 as a means for drawing in the margin of the upper throughout its entire extent.

In order to secure the draw string in drawn condition a combined clamp and a shank stiffenis secured to the shank of the insole by a tack 253 driven through a hole in the shank stifiener and clencher against the inner surface of the insole. The illustrated clamp and shank stiffener is in the form of a rectangular plate extending lengthwise of the insole and having tongues 2&0 and 252 stamped ther from and upturned at their ends for the reception of the draw strings between said tongues and the body of the plate. The ends of the tongues are preferably fiattened before the outsole is attached to the shoe.

If cement is employed to secure the margin of the upper in overwiped condition it is desirable that pressing means be provided to press the margin of the upper against the insole and to.

maintain pressure thereon until the cement has securely bonded the upper to the insole. In the illustrated machine a presser 24c (Fig. 1) is secured to the depressor lever I88 which is swiveled to the depressor arm l 90, as above described. In order to permit the depressor lever 588 to be reversed to position the presser for engagement with the last bottom, a D-handle 242, or other swiveling means, may be provided at the free end of the depressor lever. In the illustrated machine the presser consists of a shell or casing 244 provided with depending lugs 2% whereby it is secured to the depressor lever 88. The shell 244 has the same outline as the edge of the last bottom and a rubber block 248 having the same outline asthe shell 2% is secured therein by screws 2% near the base of the shell The rubber block 248 extends substantially beyond the shell E le, (Fig. 1) and has secured to its last engaging surface a thin plate 252 (Figs. 16 and 17) which is provided with a raised margin of substantially the same width as the overwiped margin of a lasted upper. The presser 24B is positioned on the depressor lever liitl to register with the overwiped margin of a lasted upper as the depressor lever is swung to bring the presser MB into operative position. Preferably the presser is actuated after the ligature has been drawn and clamped and the wipers have been retracted.

Referring particularly to Fig. the spring fingers 953 may be constructed and arranged to retard the inward movement of the margin of an upper without imparting any positive feeding movement thereto. Said fingers as shown in Fig. 15 engage the margin of an upper substantially at right angles thereto and operate first to clamp the upper margin against the supporting wiper plates 46 and 48 in order to maintain the margin in clamped position until the last is pressed into the upper. As the last is so depressed the fingers spring inwardly in the direction of the guard plate 20 and are finally arrested by engagement with the guard plate, thus permitting a measured feed to be imparted to the upper margin by the depression of the last into the supported upper.

Referring now to the preferred method of lasting uppers in accordance with the present inven tion, an upper which is cut scant in order to redues to a minimum the material to be laid over the insole is held in inverted position by the operator, as shown in Fig. '7. The operator places the margin of the upper at the toe and the sides of the forepart in outspread condition upon the wiper plates Mi and 48, gaging the position of the upper by bringing its edge into contact with the edges of the slides 50 and 52 while holding the margin of the upper flat against the wiper plates.

The upper is centered upon its support by causing a notch (not shown) formed at the center of the toe of the upper margin to be positioned centrally of the opening between surfaces 86 and 88 of the slides 53 and 52 (Fig. 4). The operator then depresses the treadle 9192 bringing the spring fingers iii; into engagement with the margin of the upper, thereby clamping the margin against the wiper plates. The depression of the treadle N32 is continued until the tooth l 44 on the treadle lever comes into position to engage the upper' pressing the toe of the last into the concavity formed in the upper for its reception. At this stage the last is in the position illustrated in Fig. 8. The depressor lever 588 is now swiveled, if necessary, to bring the presser foot I94 into posi" tion to engage the toe of the insole during the 7 actuation of the depressor lever. The depressor lever N38 is now actuated to bring the presser foot to bear upon the toe end of the insole, as shown in Fig. 8. The treadle 102 is then depressed to impart an additional feeding and gathering move engage the under surface of said plat-es.

ment to the spring fingers 55!, and simultaneously the presser foot 494 is actuated to press the last into the upper. The movement of the spring fingers so is arrested by the guard plate i253, but

the actuation oi the presser foot continues after the spring fingers have been so arrested in order further to stretch the toe and forepart oi the upper about the last. The depression of the last is continued until the toe end of the last has passed sufiiciently below the edges of the wiper plates and Aid to permit the last to pass thereunder in order to secure it against retracting movement. The position of the last and also of the fingers 2t and their associated guard plate, they appear at the end of the actuation of the presser foot te l, is illustrated by Fig. 9. During the depression of the last a rearward movement is imparted thereto causing the toe oi the last to slide against the inclined surface of the guard plate 926.

During the latter part of the depression of the last the apron H2 is stretched somewhat and its stretching action operates to upwipe the toe and forepart of the upper and to hold the upper in its upwiped condition.

hand lever i or the treadle 235, or both, may now be actuated to swing the frame 223 downward in order to bring is too of the last bottom into parallel relation to the wiper plates #36 and and also to cause the toe of the last to move forward slightly in order to cause the insole to The swinging ratchet H8 is then kicked out of engagement with the tooth i it on the treadle lever H32 in order to permit the spring its to return the spring fingers dd to inoperative position, as

shown Fig. 10. The depressor lever 588 may then be retracted.

The actuation of the armiliary frame 28 actuates the shank wiper plates iit i and to carry the apron iii inwardly to the edge of the last bottom (Fig. 6) thereby bringing the shank por tion of the upper firmly into contact with the shank portion of the last and also uniformly up- Wiping the upper as the apron is stretched by the depression 01 the last.

At this point in the lasting operation adhesive may be applied to the margin'of the insole or the margin of the upper, or both, but it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates the employment of lasting tacks, if desired, or any other suitable means for securing the overwiped margin of the upper.

The wiper plates l5 and 38 and the heel wiper plates EM and M5 are now actuated to overwipe the margin of the upper, and the ligature 25 i is actuated to secure the margin in overwiped condition. The ligature serves merely as a means for holding the upper margin in overwiped condition and may be dispensed with if considered undesirable. lifting action on the last and presses the margin of the upper against the wiper plates M4- and M8 thereby pressing the margin against the insole.

If cement'is employed to secure the upper margin in overwiped condition the presser 2 1% may be employed to press the upper margin uniformly against the insole (Fig. 16) in order to obtain a secure bond between the upper and the insole. If cement is not employed the press-er 2% may be used to flatten the over-wiped margin of the upper against the insole.

If desired, the upper may be assembled on its last in the customary manner before being inserted in the machine of the present invention to The yielding heel support 53 exerts a .aooaoco be lasted, in which case theupper is handled in accordance with the method heretofore described, except that it is not necessary for the upper to be centered ation. desired, however, the toe of the upper margin may be notched, as hereinbefore described, in order to permit the toe of the upper margin to be centered definitely upon its support.

Referring now to Fig. 13 the machine and method of the present invention may be employed to part or vamp which, both before lasting and in the finished shoe, is not attached to the heel or quarter of the upper. In Fig. 13 the vamp of such a shoe is shown supported upon a pair of viper plates 252 andZM- which have substantially th same curvature as the bott lor" the last and are arranged to extend cm the toe end or" the upper to its rearward extren and 2% have the same construction. and arrange ment s the wiper plates Q6 and .8 shown in Fi l. the fingers 283 extend throughout the entire length of the margin of the vamp and are, therefore greater in number than the fingers 98 shown in Fig. 12. The fingers 288 are constructed the same as the fingers 9i! and are actuated he einbetore described with reference to the fingers d. The guard plate 21B is secured to a'finger supporting slide (not shown) both the plate and the slide being constructed and arranged accommodate the arrangement of the fingers illustrated in Fig. 13.

having thus described my invention, what I claim as new desire to secure by Letters Pat- .-i the United States is:

l. A lasting machine having, in combination, means for clamping the nargin of an upper in a predetermined position, means for pressing a last into the clamped upper, and means for actuating said clamping means to fee the margin of the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom and to gather a measured amount of the margin of the upper at one end of the last.

2. A lasting machine having, in combination, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a gage for determining the position of said margin upon its support, means for clamping said margin against its support, a depressor for pressing a last into a. clamped upper, and means for actuating said clamping means to feed the margin of' the upper inwardly upon its support and to gather a measured amount of said margin at one end of the last.

8. A lasting machine having, in combination, a support for the outspread margin of an uppena gage for determining the position of said margin upon its support, a series of yielding members arranged to clamp said margin against its support, and means for actuating said members to feed the margin of the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom and to gather the margin of the upper between predetermined points.

l. A lasting machine for completely lasting an upper in one operation having, in combination, means for supporting the margin of an upper, means for pressing a last into the supported upper, a girth stretcher for resisting the depression of the last and upwiping the upper, means for feeding the margin of the upper inwardly toward the V edge of the last bottom, means for wiping the margin of the upper over the toe of an insole mounted on the last, and means for wiping the margin of the upper over the heel of the insole.

5. A lasting machine for completely lasting an on its support since the'upper has. been centered on its last-in the assembling oper- In other respects the wiper plates 262' upper in one operation having, in combination," a support for the margin or" an upper, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported upper, a girth stretcher for resisting the depression of the last and upwipinig the upper, means operable simultaneously with the depression of the last for feeding and gathering the margin of the upper at one endof the last, wipers for wiping the margin of the upper over the toe of an insole mounted on the East, for wiping the margin of the upper over th heel of the insole.

6. A lasting machine for completely lasting an upper in one operation having, in combination, fingers for clamping the margin of an upper in a predetermined position, a depressor for pressing a last into the clamped upper, a girthstretcher for resisting the depression of the last and upwiping the upper, means for actuating the clamping fingers to feed the margin of the upper progressively toward the edge of the last during its de pression, toe wipers, heel wipers, a heel support arranged to move the last forwardly in order to pass the toe of the last beneath the edge of the toe wipers, shank wipers, and means for actuating the heel support andsimultaneously actuating the shank wipers to wipe in the shank portion of the upper.

'7. In a machine for lasting shoes, wiper plates, and a series of fingers mounted independently of the plates and arranged to cooperate with the plates to clamp an upper thereagainst.

8. In a machine for lasting shoes, wiper plates, and a series of fingers mounted independently of the plates and arranged for movement heightwise of an upper supported by the plates to clamp the up er against the plates.

9. In a machine for lasting shoes, toe wiper plates, and a series of fingers mounted independently of the wiper plates and arranged around the forepart of an upper supported by the plates, said fingers and plates being arranged for relative movement to grip an upper therebetween,

10. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, and means operable in advance of the introduction of a last into its upper for effecting a measured gathering of the margin of the upper and a measured inward movement of said margin.

, pression.

l2. In a lasting machine, a support for an upper, means for clamping the toe of the upper against said support, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported upper, and an abutment arranged to be engaged by the toe of the last during its depression and having its last engaging surface inclined to cause the last tomove rearwardly of the upper during its depression.

13. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a series of fingers for clamping said margin yieldingly against said support, a depressor for pressing alast into the supported upper, and a plate for guiding the depression of the last whereby the last is moved rearwardly of the upper in order toimpart a for- 1 and arranged to feed said margin inwardly upon said support, a depressor for pressing a last into the clamped upper, and means for holding the last out of engagement with said fingers.

15. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a series of fingers arranged to clamp said margin against said support and arranged to feed said margin inwardly upon said support, a depressor for p essing a last into the clamped upper, and a guard for-limiting the feeding movement of said fingers and for preventing engagement ofsaid fingers by the last.

it. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a series of fingers arranged to' clamp said margin against said support and arranged to feed said margin inwardlyupon; support, a depressor for pressing a lastinto the clamped upper, and a guard for limiting the feeding movement of said fingersand for pre-- venting engagement of said fingers by the last, said guard being constructed and arranged to cause the last to move rearwardly of the upper during its depression. 1

17. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, a series of fingers constructed and arranged to clamp said margin against its support, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported upper, means for actuating said fingers to feed the margin of the upper inwardly during the depression of the last, and an abutment plate arranged inwardly of said fingers for arresting their feeding movement, said plate having a rearward inclination adjacent to the toe of the last whereby the last is caused to move rearwardl-y of the upper during its depression.

18. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, a series of fingers constructed and arranged to clamp said margin against the support, means for actuating said fingers to feed said margin inwardly upon its support, andra finger arrester forming anelement of the finger assembly and arranged inwardly of said fingers at a predetermined distance therefrom in order to arrest their feeding movement.

19; In a lasting machine, means for imparting a measured feed to the margin of an upper comprising a plurality of yielding fingers, and a member arranged in" opposition to said fingers, said fingers and their opposing member being arranged for movement towardeach other whereby the margin is first clamped therebetween and then fed inwardly upon said opposing member,

2%; In a lasting machine, means for imparting a measured feed to the margin of an upper comprising a plurality of spring fingers, and a support arranged in opposition. to said fingers, said fingers and their opposing support being arranged for relative movement to clamp the margin therebetween and said fingers also being so arranged relatively to the plane of the opposing support that relative movement of the fingers and the support efiects an inward movement of the free ends of said fingers'upon said support,

21. In a lasting machine, means for clamping the margin of an upper comprising a plurality of plates arranged to be adjusted to conformto the outline of the toe of a last and constructed. and

arranged for sliding engagement with said margin, and clamping means comprising a plurality of spring fingers constructed for gripping engagement with said margin and arranged in opposi tion to said plates and so arranged relatively to said plates'that a relative movement of the plates and the fingers to clamp the margin therebetween produces a feeding movement of said fingers upon the surface of said plates.-,

22. In a lasting machine, a series of spring fingers arranged to engage the margin of the forepart of an upper and normally held in inoperative position, and means for actuating said fingers to impart to said margin a m asured feeding movement and a measured gathering movement.

23. In a lasting machine, a series of fingers arranged to engage the margin of the forepart of an upper, and means for actuating said fingers to impart to said margin a measured and non-uniform feeding movement and simultaneously therewith a measured and non-uniform gathering movement. r

24. In a lasting'machine, a support for the margin at the forepart of an upper provided with a lining and box toe, a series of pointed fingers arranged to penetrate the lining, box toe and upper, said fingers and said support being arranged for relative movement first to cause said fingers to penetrate the lining, box toe and upper, and'then to impart thereto a measured feeding movement and a measured gathering movement.

25. In a lasting machine, means for effecting a measured feed of the margin of an upper, an

-' means for arresting the feed. 7

26. In a lasting machine, means for eifecting a measured gathering of the margin of an upper, and means for arresting the gathering.

27. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, means for feeding the upper comprising a plurality of fingers arranged to engage the margin, means for actuating said fingers to move the margin inwardly upon its support, and means for arresting the actuation of said fingers.

28. In a lasting machine, wiper plates arranged to support the margin of an upper, means for feeding the upper comprising a plurality of fingers arranged to engage the margin, means for actuating said ingers to move the margin inwardly upon its supporting plates, and an abutment for arresting the actuation of said fingers.

29. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, means for'imparting a feeding movement to the margin comprising a plurality of yielding fingers, and a finger actuating member arranged for movement toward and fromthe plane of the margin of the upper.

.30. In a lasting machine, a plurality of wiper plates arranged to support the margin of an upper, means for imparting a feeding movement to the margin comprising a plurality of spring fingers, arranged to engage the margin, and a holder to which the fingers are secured in a position such that a movement of the holder toward the plane of the margin produces a movement of the free ends of said fingers upon said supporting plate.

31. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, means for imparting a measured inward movement to the margin of the upper comprising a plurality of fingers arranged to engage said margin and normally held retracted, means for actuating said fingers, and latching means arranged to latch saidfingers against retraction at successive stagesin their actuation.

32. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported upper, andmeans for feeding the margin of the upper inwardly toward the edge of the. last bottom during the actuation of the depressor. margin of an upper, a depressor for pressing a 33. In a lasting machineQa support for the last intothe supported upper, a series of fingers arranged to engage the mar in of the supported upper, and means operable during the actuation of the depressor for actuating said fingers to feed the margin of the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom.

34. In a lasting machine, a pair of wiper plates arranged to support the outspread margin of an upper, a depressor for pressing a last into an upper supported on said plates, and means operable during the actuation of the depressor for imparting a measured feed to the margin of the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom.

35. In a lasting machine, a pair of wiper plates arranged to support the outspread margin of an upper, a depressor for pressing a last into an upper supported on said plates, means'ope'r'able during the depression of the last for imparting a measured feed to the margin of the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom, and means for actuating said wiper plates to wipe said margin over the edge of the last bottom.

36. In a'lasting machine, a support for the V outspread margin at the sides of the forepart of an upper, means for efiecting a measured inward feeding of said margin, means for arrest ing said feeding movement, and a depressorfor pressing a last into the upper.

37. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin at the sides of the forepart of an upper, a plurality of fingers constructed and arranged to eifect a measured inward feeding of said margin, means for arresting said feeding movement, and meansfor pressing a last into the upper comprising a depressor arranged to be actuated during said feeding movement and to a variable extent thereafter.

38. In a lasting 'machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, means for pressing a last into the supported upper, a series of fingers constructed and arranged for positive engagement with the margin of the upper at the sides of its forepart, and means for actuating said fingers to feed said margin forwardly toward the toe of the last.

39. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported upper, a series of pointed fingers arranged to pierce the margin of the upper at the sides of its forepart, and means for actuating said fingers to feed said margin simultaneously inwardly tow rd the edge of the last and forwardly toward the toe of the last. 7

40. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an' upper, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported up er, a series of fingers arranged for positive engagement with the margin of the upper at the sides of its forepart, means for actuating said fingers to feed said margin simultaneously inwardly toward the edge of the last and forwardly toward the toe of the last, a series of fingers arranged for positive engagement with the margin of the upper at the toe, and means for actuating said fingers to feed the margin inwardly toward the toe of the last and to impart a'measured gathering thereto.

41.111 a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported upper, a series of fingers arranged for positive engagement with theimargin of the upper at the sides of its forepart, means for actuating said fingers to feed said margin simultaneously inwardly'tow'ard the edge of the last and forwardly toward the toe of the last, a series of fingers arranged'for positive engagement with the margin of the upper at the toe, and means for actuating said fingers to feed the margin inwardly toward the toe of the last and to impart a measured gathering there-- to, said two series of fingers operating in unison and in conjunction with said depressor, to stretch the upper smoothly and to position it accurately upon the last.

42. In a lasting machine, means for efifecting a non-uniform gathering of the margin of an upper comprising a series of fingers arranged to efiect measured gathering between predetermined points in the upper margin,

43. In a lasting machine, a plurality of fingers constructed and arranged to operate in advance of the introduction of a last into its uppenior effecting in one operation, a non-uniform gathering of the margin at the forepart of the upper.

44. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, and a plurality of fingers.

arranged to move inwardly upon said supper and arranged at measured and non-uniform degrees of convergence whereby the movement of said fingers efiects a measured and non-uniform gathering between predetermined points in the margin of the upper.

45. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, a series of fingers arranged progressively about said support, a holder upon which said fingers are arranged at such angles thereto that a depression of. t -e holder moves the free ends of the fingers inwardly upon said support, said fingers being arranged upon said holder at measured degrees of convergence whereby a measured gathering is effected between predetermined points in the margin of the upper.

46. In a lasting machine, means for clamping the margin of an upper comprising a plurality of plates arranged to be adjusted to conform to the outline of the toe of a last and constructed and arranged for sliding engagement with said margin, a plurality of spring fingers constructed for gripping engagement with said margin and arranged in opposition to said plates and arranged at measured degrees of convergence relatively to each other whereby an inward movement of said fingers upon the surface of said plates efiects a measured gathering of the margin.

47. In a lasting machine, means for supporting an upper, a depressor for pressing alast into the supported upper, and means for progressively feeding the margin of the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom during the depression of the last and simultaneously gathering the up per between predetermined points in its margin.

48. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a series of yielding fingers arranged for movement toward and from said support, and means for actuating said fingers first to clamp the margin of the upper against its support and thereafter to feed'said margin inwardly and simultaneously to gather said margin between predetermined points.

49. A lasting machine having, in combination, a support for the outsproad margin of an upper, a gage for determining the position of said margin upon its support, means for pressing a last into the upper, a series of. yielding fingers arranged to-clamp themargin of the upper against itssupport and arranged: to feed" said margin'inwardly toward the edge; of: the: last. bottom. simultaneously with the depression of the last, saidl fingers also being arranged to gather the margin of the upper between predetermined points and in predetermined amounts during the feeding operation.

50. In a lasting machine, a plurality of fingers arranged to engage the margin of an upper, means for opposing the movement of said fingers in a given direction, and means for imparting relative movement to said fingers and said opposing means whereby the margin is first clamped therebetween and then moved inwardly and simultaneously with said inward movement gathered between predetermined points and in predetermined amounts.

51. In a lasting machine, a pair of wiper plates arranged to support the margin of an upper, means for simultaneously feeding said margin in wardly and gathering said margin comp "sing a series of fingers arranged progressively about said. plates, and a holder upon which said fingers are secured at suchangles thereto that depression of the holder moves the free ends-of the fingers in-- wardly upon said plates, said fingers being ar ranged at measured degrees of convergence whereby a measured gathering is. effected between predetermined points in the margin of the upper.

52. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, means'forsirnultaneously feeding said margin inwardly and gathering said margin comprising a series of fingers arrange progressively about said support, a holder upon which fingers are secured at such angles.

ing is effected between predeterminedpoints in the margin of the upper, and means for adjusting the fingers to vary the extent of their feeding and gathering action. i

53. In a lasting machine, a support ,for the margin at the toe of an upper, means for simultaneously feeding said margin inwardly and gathering said margin comprising a series of fingers arranged progressively about said support, a holder'upon which said fingers are secured at such angles there-to that the depression of the holder moves the free ends of the fingers inwardly upon said support, said fingers being arranged at measured degrees of convergence whereby a measured gathering is effected between predetermined points in the margin of the upper, means operable simultaneously with the actuation of the fingers for pressing a last into an upper mounted on said support.

54. In a lasting machine, a support for the margin of an upper, means for pressing a last into the supported upper, means for. progressively feeding the upper inwardly toward the edge or" the last bottom during the depression of thelast comprising a plurality of fingers arranged to engage the margin, means for actuating said fingers to move the margin inwardly upon its support, and means for arresting the actuation of said fingers,-

55. In a'lasting machine, a support for the margin oi an upper, a depressor forpressing a last into the supported upper, means for progres sively feeding the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom during the depression of the last comprising a plurality of fingers arranged tov engage the margin, means for actuating said fingers to move the margin of the upper inwardi upon. its support, and an abutment plate positioned between said fingers and the last and arranged to guide the depression of the last and to arrest the actuation of said fingers.

56. In a lasting machine, means for feeding the margin of an upper inwardly, and a plurality of wipers forwiping the margin of theupper over the last bottom, said wipers being constructed and arranged to support the margin of the upper as it is fed inwardly.

57. In a lasting machine, a plurality of fingers arranged to engage the margin of an upper feed said margin'inwardly, and a plurality of wipers for wiping the margin of the upper over the last bottom, said wipers being constructed and arranged to support the margin of the upper as it is fed inwardly.

58. In a lasting machine, a plurality of fingers for feeding the margin of an upper inwardly, a

plurality of wipers for wiping the margin of the upper over the last bottom, said wipers being constructed and arranged to support the margin of the upper as itis fed, means for adjusting said wipers for different sizes of lasts, and means for adjusting the fingers to bring them into opposition to'said wipers.

59. In a lasting machine, a'pair of overlapping end wipers constructed and arranged, in their open position, to form a plane upper surface for supporting the outspread margin of an upper and forming also a plane undersuriace for wiping engagement with said margin, and a pair of slides to which said wipers are secured, said slides being constructed and arranged to form a gage for cating the margin of an upper upon said wipers.

60. In a lasting machine, a pair of overlapping end wipers constructed and arranged topresent a plane surface to the outspread margin of an upper and arranged for straight line wiping move ment, and a pair of slides to which said wipers are secured, said slides being constructed and arranged to form a gage for locating the margin of an upper upon said wipers.

61. In a lasting machine, a pair of end wipers, a pair of slides to which said wipers are secured, a support on which said slides are mounted for movement rearwardly and inwardly of the up per, and means for arresting said slides with the wiping edges of said wipers a measured distance in from the edge of the last.

62. In a lasting machine a pair of end wipers, a pair of slides to which said wipers are secured, a support on which said slides are mounted for movement rearwardly and inwardly or" the upper, and abutting surfaces formed on said slides for arresting said slides with the wiping edges of said wipers a measured distance in from the edge of the last.

63. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the margin of an upper over the heel of an insole mounted on a last, a heel stop, a support therefor, and yielding last supporting means carried by said support and arranged to press the margin of the upper against said wipers.

64. In a lasting machine, a heel stop arranged to hold the last from backward movemen and arranged to be actuated to impart a forward movement to the last, wipers for wiping the margin of an upper over the heel of an insole mounted on the last, a support for the wipers, and yielding last supporting means carried by the support and arranged to press the margin of the up per against said Wipers.

65. In a lasting machine, the combination with side wiper members of end wiper members so constructed and arranged that during theiradvancing movement they engage and advance the sid wiper members.

66. In a lasting machine, the combination with side wiper members of end wipers respectively provided with extensions constructed and arranged to engage and advance the side wiper members.

6'7. In a lasting machine, side wipers respectively provided with shoulders disposed opposite to their wiping edges and end wipers respectively provided with fingers constructed and arranged to engage said shoulders and thus to advance the side wipers during the advancement of the end wipers. I p

68. In a lasting machine, side wipers respectively provided with shoulders disposed opposite to their wiping edges, means for imparting to said wipers an initial wiping movement, and end wipers respectively provided with fingers constructed and arranged to engage the shoulders in the side wipers after an initial advancement of the end wipers and thus to impart to the side wipers a final wiping movement. ,7

69. In a lasting machine, means for wiping in the shank portion of an upper, a pair of wipers for overwiping the margin of the heel end of the upper, and connections from said wipers for actuating said shank wiping means.

70. In a lasting machine, a pair of last fitting wipers for wiping in the shank portion of an upper, a pair of wipers for overwiping the margin of the heel end of the upper, and connections from said last-mentioned wipers for actuating said shank wipers to overwipe the margin of the shank portion of the upper.

71. In a lasting machine, means for clamping the margin of an upper in a predetermined position, means for pressing a last into the clamped upper, a girth stretcher for resisting the depresv sion of the last and upwiping the upper, and means for actuating said stretcher to wipe in the shank portion of the upper and to impart a uniform tension to the shank of the upper heightclamped upper, a resilient apron for resisting the depression of the last and upwiping the upper, a pair of wipers arranged at opposite sides of the shank of the upper, and means for actuating said wipers to cause the apron to wipe in the shank portion of the upper and to impart a uniform tension to the shank of the upper heightwise of the last.

73. In a lasting machine, a girth stretcher, means for actuating a last to wipe an upper against the stretcher, and means for progressively feeding the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom during the actuation of the last.

74. In a lasting machine, a girth stretcher, means for actuating a last to wipe an upper against the stretcher, and means for progressively feeding the margin of the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom during the'ae-.

tuation of the last and simultaneously gathering the upper between predetermined points in its margin.

75. In a lasting machine, a girth stretcher comprising a resilient apron secured to the machine frame, means for actuating a last to wipe an upper against'the apron, and means for progressively feeding the margin of the upper inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom during the actuation of the last and simultneously gathering the upper between predetermined points in its margin.

76. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, means for pressing the margin against said support, a depressor for forcing a last into the supported upper and thereby effecting an inward movement of the margin of the upperupcn its support, meansfor arresting the inward movement of the upper margin upon its support, and a resilient apron arranged to co-operate with the last depressor to upwipe the upper.

77. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, means for pressing the margin against said support, a depressor for forcing a last into the supported upper and there by efiecting an inward movement of the margin of the upper upon its support, means for arresting the inward movement of the upper margin upon its support, and a resilient apron arranged to co operate with the last depressor to upwipe the upper, said apron having frictional engagement with the upper in order to hold the upper in upwiped condition after said pressing means has been released. I

78. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of the forepart of an upper, a series of fingers for clamping the margin against said support, means for actuating said fingers to feed the margin inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom, a depressor for pressing the forepart of the last into the supported upper' during said actuation of said fingers, and a resilient apron arranged to co operate with the lastdepressor to upwipe the upper. 1 r

79. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of the forepart of an upper,'a support for the heel end of a last and upper, said heel support being arranged to swing about an axis extending transversely of the machine, means for clamping the margin of the forepart against its support, a girth stretcher, means for depressing the toe of the last into the girth stretcher, and means for swinging the heel support in order fur ther to press the last into the girth stretcher.

80. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of the 'forepart of an upper, an auxiliary frame constructed and arranged to support the heel end of a last and upper and mounted to swing about an axis extending transversely of the machine, means for clamping the margin of the forepart against its support, a girth stretcher, a depressor for pressing the toe of the last into the girth stretcher, and means for swinging the auxiliary frame in order further to press the last into the girth stretcher.

81. In a lasting machine, wiper plates constructed and arranged to support the outspread margin of the forepart of an upper, a support for the heel end of a last and upper arranged to swing about an axis extending transversely of the machine, means for clamping the margin of the forepart against its supporting wiper plates, at girth stretcher, means for depressing the toe of the last into the girth stretcher, and means for swinging the heel support downwardly and forwardly in order to bring the toe of the last under the edge of the wiper plates and further to press the last into the girth stretcher.

82. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a depressor for press ing a last into the supported upper, and a series of yielding fingers arranged for gripping engagement with the supported margin of an upper in order to resist the inward movement of said margin toward the edge of the last bottom during depression of the last.

83. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported upper, and a series of yielding fingers constructed and arranged to pierce the margin of an upper and to resist the inward movement of said margin toward the edge of the last bottom during the depression of the last.

In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a depressor for pressa last into the supported upper, a seriesof .fingers arranged about the toe of the last, said ringers being yieldin ly movable inwardly toward the edge of last bottom and arranged for gripping engagement with the upper marginin er -Mr to resist the inward movement of said margin toward the edge of the last bottom during the depression of the last, and means for arresting said fingers.

85. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported upper, a series of fingers arranged about the toe of the last, said fingers being yieldingly movable inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom and arranged for gripping engagement with the upper margin in order to resist the inward movement of said margin toward the edge of the last bottom during the depression of the last, and an abutment positioned in parallel relation to the edge of the last bottom and arranged to arrest said fingers.

86. In a lasting machine, a support for the outspread margin of an upper, a depressor for pressing a last into the supported upper, a series of fingers arranged about the toe of the last, said fingers being yieldingly movable inwardly toward the edge of the last bottom and arranged for gripping engagement with the upper margin in order to resist the inward movement of said margin toward the edge of the last bottom during the depression of the last, and an abutment positioned in parallel relation to the edge of the last bottom and arranged to arrest said fingers, said fingers being adjustable to vary'the extent of movement of the upper margininwardly t0- ward the last.

87. In a lasting machine, a heel stop, an auxiliary frame on which said heel stop is adjustably mounted, and depending swinging arms to which said frame is secured whereby a downward movement imparted to said frame moves the heel stop forwardly of the machine. a

88. In a lasting machine, an auxiliary fram a'pair of depending swinging arms to which said frame is adjustably secured, a slide mounted in said frame for movement lengthwise therof, and a heel stop mounted on said slide.

89. In a lasting machine, an auxiliary frame. a pair of depending swinging arms to which said frame is adjustably secured, a slide mounted in said frame for movement lengthwise thereof, a heel stop mounted on said slide, and means for securing said slide in adjusted position.

90. In a lasting machine, a plurality of toe wipers, a heel stop for the reception of the rear end face of a last,-and an auxiliary frame on which said heel stop is mounted, said frame being arranged for movement lengthwise of the machine in order to bring the forward extremity of the toe of the last beneath said toe wipers.

91. In a lasting machine, a heel stop, a yielding support for the heel end of the last, and a slide by which said heel stop'and heel support 

